Tender

Fish Stomach Content & Benthic Sample Analysis

SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

06 Mar 2026 at 13:40

Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process is initiated by the Scottish Government, targeting the services sector with a focus on laboratory services. The tender, titled "Fish Stomach Content & Benthic Sample Analysis," aims to appoint a qualified supplier to conduct specialist laboratory analyses, supporting the ECOCHANGE programme. This project seeks to examine ecological impacts from marine growth affecting the North Sea food web. The contract, valued at £200,000, is open for submissions until 10 April 2026 and will be in effect from 8 June 2026 to 7 February 2027. The open procedure procurement method requires electronic submissions, where quality and price form the evaluation criteria.

This tender offers substantial growth opportunities for businesses in laboratory and marine research services, particularly those with experience in ecological studies and environmental monitoring. Firms that specialise in laboratory analysis, environmental monitoring, and marine biology research could find this tender particularly interesting. Businesses that meet the technical and economic criteria, including holding appropriate insurance levels and robust supply chain management systems, are well-suited to compete. Expertise in biological sample analysis, ecological evidence provision, and habitat assessment could enhance the supplier's competitive edge and align with Scotland's Marine Nature Positive policy development.

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Notice Title

Fish Stomach Content & Benthic Sample Analysis

Notice Description

The Scottish Ministers, Marine Directorate, seek to appoint a suitably qualified Supplier to deliver Fish Stomach Content & Benthic Sample Analysis.

Lot Information

Lot 1

The Scottish Ministers, Marine Directorate, seek to appoint a suitably qualified Supplier to deliver specialist laboratory analysis in support of the ECOCHANGE programme. ECOCHANGE (Ecosystem Consequences of Changes to Habitats and implications for a Net Gain Energy approach) is investigating how marine growth on offshore wind infrastructure influences food web dynamics within the North Sea. The outputs of this contract will provide essential ecological evidence to inform Scotland's Marine Nature Positive policy development. To support this work, the Supplier will analyse a range of marine biological samples collected across the North Sea. This includes up to 245 Day Grab sediment samples for infauna identification (ID), with most samples supplied frozen and up to 20% preserved in formalin for detailed ID, abundance and biomass assessment. Each grab sample set will also include a 50 ml subsample for Particle Size Analysis (PSA). The requirement further includes stomach content analysis of up to 730 frozen fish specimens, together with the assessment of 20 settlement panels to quantify marine growth and species composition. Together, these analytical components will allow ECOCHANGE to assess how offshore wind developments may be altering habitat structure, prey availability and trophic interactions across the North Sea.

Renewal: The Purchaser may, by giving notice to the Service Provider, extend the period of the Contract to a date falling no later than 21 March 2027. Subject to that constraint, the Purchaser may extend the period of the Contract on more than one occasion.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-066435
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/020412-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

90 - Sewage, refuse, cleaning and environmental services


CPV Codes

71900000 - Laboratory services

73111000 - Research laboratory services

90711500 - Environmental monitoring other than for construction

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£200,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£200,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
6 Mar 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
10 Apr 20264 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
7 Jun 2026 - 7 Feb 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
GLASGOW
Postcode
G2 8LU
Post Town
Glasgow
Country
Scotland

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM3 West Central Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM32 Glasgow City
Delivery Location
TLM Scotland

Local Authority
Glasgow City
Electoral Ward
Anderston/City/Yorkhill
Westminster Constituency
Glasgow North

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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